How The Theory Of Civic Engagement Can Be Used For Create...

Discussion The following section will examine several case studies to highlight concrete examples of how the theory of civic engagement can be used to create successful and sustainable collaborations between museums and the communities they serve. Case Study 1: Developing Exhibit Programming at Carnegie Museum of Natural History The case study of the preparation of the arrival of the traveling exhibit Race: Are We so Different? by the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (Cole 2014) demonstrates how this approach of institutional capacity to create, sustain, and nourish relationships with community members can be achieved successfully beyond the realm of theory. Specifically, this case lends insight into how the surrounding community can†¦show more content†¦As for the institution itself, the museum saw this exhibition as a step toward larger institutional changes. They recognized that they primarily serve a white middle class audience. For Carnegie, this exhibit and hopefully the programming accompanying it would help the museum to become more diverse, inclusive, and diversify the demographics of their audiences. Carnegie formed a community advisory board composed of already invested community members. Then using these connections, advisory board members connected the museum staff with â€Å"on-the-ground† community and public service workers, following along the lines of Jackson’s (2008) argument for â€Å"on-the-ground† research, to help develop programming for the Race exhibit. What this meant was working with local and regional public service workers whose jobs are to engage with â€Å"cultural inclusion, race equity, and community organizing† on a daily basis (Cole 2014:57). In addition, the museum team was educated on both sides of the debate surrounding race as well as bringing in outside experts to lead presentations and other programming, showcasing the museum’s willingness to learn rather than their need to be experts. Staff (particularly docents) was trained on how to help visitors navigate the difficult topic of race and how to engage with visito rs on the topic. While Carnegie was